Passing the Torch – Part #1
The last time I saw him was several years back. He had just given a lecture to a small, packed auditorium at the Freed-Hardeman University lectures. As I reached to shake his hand, I was now a minister but after listening to him I felt like a student back in his class. I was only privileged to take him for one class, but he pushed me to the limit and I am sure he did it on purpose. I readily admit that class pushed me to the breaking point more than once, but I endured.
His words challenged me inside and outside of our class. Even though I was not the “average Bible major” (I know, you already knew that) he treated me with the utmost respect and always shook my hand. His wisdom and experience showed well to each person he passed, even though his health was failing. I had heard of his health issues and the struggles of his health, but he always smiled, nodded and shook my hand.
When he found out I was from West Virginia, I found we had a common bound. His travels had taken him to my home state many times and he spoke fondly of the beautiful mountains and majestic season of fall. His words always drew me a little closer to appreciate my home state.
One day he approached me in the student center and asked me to step into his office later in the day for a few minutes. Quickly, those around me asked me what it was about, but my mind raced to think of why. Without an answer to the inquiries, I slowly made the trip to the Bible Department. As I stepped into his office, he rose to his feet, shook my hand and told me how glad he was that I stopped in. As we reflected on the year and the weather for a few moments, he said he had something for me. He slowly opened his desk drawer and pulled out a large folded piece of paper. He slide it across his desk and told me it was from his personal collection.
As I opened the paper I started to laugh. It was a poster of my favorite hockey team’s goalie, Tom Barasso. You see, I am a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey fan and he knew it. Over the short time I was at Freed-Hardeman he and I would talk hockey scores as we passed in the hallway. His beloved Detroit Redwings and beat my beloved Pittsburgh Penguins many times and those made for great discussions.
While his class I had has not stayed with me like I thought it would, his kind words softened my heart each day. Even when I was not in his class, his words found a way to encourage and his smiling nod showed that he cared.
His name was Dowell Flatt and he is surely missed.
“People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
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This post was written under the encouragement of John Dobbs. Mr. Dobbs encouraged others to write a post about a minister that greatly influenced our lives. He passes on that encouragement to you. Spend one post this week writing about that special minister who influenced you.
Just my thoughts,
Chris
Gallagher’s Speaking Tips
- Speak or do not speak – Do not go at it half-hearted! Go with your full heart and change lives! Desire Success!
- Know what you are talking about! Delivering a lesson with no points is like taking a cruise to nowhere!
- Give your audience your best! They will be one of the best audiences ever, if you give them your best!
- Mistakes happen so you better learn to laugh. You will make mistakes speaking, laugh & move on! You are human.
- Nervous? Remember, they are the ones asking you to speak, they have confidence in you and you should too!
- Study your topic and prepare for greatness! Attitude is almost all the battle!
- Grow your mind and you will grow your audience level!
- Give to your audience what you would want given to you.
- Develop your ability and lead others to develop theirs — one word at a time.
- Remember, even the "small people" are great people too! Reach for everyone!
- Ego tripping is not speaking. Humbling yourself to lift others up is speaking!
- No one cares what you learn last week, they want to know how you will help them this week.
- Read today for what you will speak about tomorrow.
- If you do not have a speaking engagement, plan, plan plan! The opportunity will come, will you be ready.
- Drink water when you speak!
- Take a breath mint! People will talk to you afterwards, do not taint them with bad breath!
- Be yourself! Do not fake it, people will see.
- Be positive always! Positive messages stick longer and people act quicker.
- If you have to be negative, be sincere and loving.
- Smile!
- Use your hands naturally! Do no gesture to gesture, gesture because it is who you are.
- Ummmm……no! Do your best to get rid of the "um" of speech. Everyone does it, but stop filling space with "ums."
- Preparation is the key to speaking…..prepare now for the message to come.
- Concentrate on your best message and improve it weekly.
- Study your audience. Note the makeup and share relevant information!
- When you are done….QUIT!
- As always KISS; Keep It Simple Stupid!
- Speak to people like people, not as bondservants.
- Watch your audience, feed off of their emotions. If they are falling asleep, you might need to change.
- Do not speak on everything, speak on something!
Just some repeat thoughts!
Chris
Bring on the Movies, Reruns and Documentaries
A little over a week ago, I cancelled DirecTV and switched over to Netflix. While I was overall pleased with DirecTV, after my rates went up, I decided to find an alternative. When I first found out my DirecTV rates were going to climb, I decided to give Netflix a try. I have heard stories and even know some who have taken the, what I like to call, the “Netflix jump.” They have put cable and satellite TV aside and now use Netflix and the channels they can get with over-the-air signals. Well, the Gallagher family has decided to give it try.
Below are some points I have realized regarding making the “NetFlix Jump”:
- The Gallagher family is freeing up approximately $40 a month ($480 a year). Tonight I am creating a “TV FUND” savings account on ING Direct to be sure those funds are saved. I want to see the difference throughout the year and even watch the amount grow.
- We can see what we have watched and keep better track of our media viewing. Using the NetFlix “online dashboard,” we are able to see what we have watched and where our viewing time is spent.
- Carrie made the statement the other day, “I am watching less TV.” I believe our entire family is watching less TV and spending our time in other things: family time, books, cars and other things.
- We are watching shows we have long sense forgot about and even shows we did not know existed. As I write this, Caleb is watching the “Super Mario Brothers” show from the late 80’s. It is amazing to see the shows I have forgotten about. (Remember Airwolf?)
- Since not watching the news first thing in the morning, I find my day goes less focused on the bad news and more on the “Good News.”
- Most of the news, sports and other information I get still comes through the internet, but I am slowly forgetting about them.
Just some thoughts for a random Thursday!
Chris
Song of Solomon 5.2-8
The emotions and thoughts of love enable people to make decisions they would not normal make. I am sure you have heard of the actions of others as they found themselves in the “heat of passion.” Usually the actions of those so engulfed in the torrential downpour of passion on the heart is not something that brings encouraging headlines. Too often you read the headlines describing the “crimes of passion.” The passion one has for their love can overtake the thoughts and emotions of everything in our lives.
In today’s text, Song of Solomon 5.2-8, the Shulamite woman searches for the one her heart so desperately longs to hold. The thoughts of his embrace cause her to leave the security of her residence and roam the streets at night desperately seeking her love (verse 7).
She began her search for him after she awoke to the sounds of her beloved searching for her. As she leapt to her feet her mind races with what to do next. His words are as a song of her heart and the thought of his presence brings her slight confusion. She was sleeping and now jolted awake by his words. As his hand touched the latch of the gate, her heart jumped with excitement to see her beloved. (verse 4) As she reached for the latch as well, she opened the door to see her beloved and he was not there (verse 6). His departure was as quick as his arrival. He was gone from her sight and her hearing, where could he have gone?
Quickly, she begins searching for her love. She calls out his name in desperate hopes he will appear once more (verse 6). Her searching was met by the watchmen of the city. The watchmen of the city are hostile towards her during her midnight search. The time of her search is not the time for a woman like her to be out and about in the city. As is even said today, “Nothing good happens after midnight.”
After her final plea in search of her beloved, her final plea is it to the women of Jerusalem. She appeals to them, that if they find her beloved, they inform him of her love for him.
Interesting Notes:
- There are some who believe the events of Song of Solomon 5.2-8 are a dream. Just as you dream something is real only to awake and find it was not, some believe the Shulamite woman dreamed the events of 5.2-8. The only issue with this is the statement she makes in verse 2, “I slept, but my heart was awake.”
- Also, note how the account continues in to the next several verses. This brings to mind the events of 5.2-8 were in fact real, not a dream.
- Why would the watchmen treat her with hostility? Good question, what do you think?
- Three-Person Theory – Some believe in a three person theory to Song of Solomon. In this three person theory, there is Solomon, the Shulamite woman and her beloved. The Shulamite women in living as one in Solomon’s “harem” and her desire is not for Solomon, but for her beloved. This chapter fits in the three-person theory, because those believe the beloved is the man knocking at the door then disappearing.
Just some thoughts for today,
Chris
Teaching Children
As the Bible class and sermon series have continued on “Improving Marriage and Improving Families,” I am drawing the series to a close next Sunday and going to being a series on Leviticus in March. Below are the outlines from yesterday. One was already posted last week, but I reposted it in case you missed it. Enjoy!
Bible Class: Keys to Teaching Children
Sermon: Teaching Children
As always, the PowerPoints above can be downloaded and used in your personal studies, Bible classes and sermons.
Just some thoughts,
Chris
Podcast Feeds
Some of What I am Reading
I use Elegant Themes
